Spin Testers
Butterfly Tenergy 05 vs. Nittaku Fastarc G1 Test
Which is better?
Two of the most popular rubbers on the market today are the Butterfly Tenergy 05 and the Nittaku Fastarc G1. In this article, we'll compare these two rubbers in several key areas to help you decide which one is best for your game.
Though Nittaku being a japanese company, the Fastarc G1 is manufactured in Germany at ESN where lots of other brands like Tibhar and Andro have their products crafted. Tenergy 05 on the other hand comes from Japan, which is known for producing some of the highest-quality table tennis equipment in the world. Japan has a long history of producing top-level table tennis players, and many of them use equipment made in their home country. This speaks to the quality of the materials and manufacturing processes used to create these rubbers.
The Butterfly Tenergy 05 is known for its outstanding catapult effect and spin, making it a popular choice among professional players. It has a tacky topsheet that allows you to generate a lot of spin on your shots, while the medium-hard sponge provides plenty of power for aggressive attacks. The Nittaku Fastarc G1, on the other hand, has a more balanced playing style, with good speed, spin, and control. It has a similarly tacky topsheet compared to the Tenergy 05 and also generates a good amount of spin thanks to its grippy surface.
Comparing catapult effects of both rubbers, the Butterfly Tenergy 05 has a stronger catapult effect than the Nittaku Fastarc G1, which gives it more power on attacking shots. However, this also means that the Tenergy 05 can be more difficult to control, especially for players who are still developing their skills. The Fastarc G1 has a more moderate catapult effect, which makes it a better choice for players who want a balance between power and control.
When comparing topsheets, the Butterfly Tenergy 05 has a tacky topsheet that allows you to generate a lot of spin, especially on serves and topspin shots. The Nittaku Fastarc G1 has a similarly tacky topsheet (maybe ever so slightly less than Tenergy 05), which makes it easy to control your shots and generate strong spin. However, the topsheet of the Fastarc G1 is still grippy enough to generate a decent amount of spin, especially for intermediate players.
On the other hand, if you're a more balanced player who values control and spin, the Nittaku Fastarc G1 could be the better choice. Its grippy topsheet and moderate catapult effect provide good spin and control, but still give you enough power to finish off your shots. We love the Fastarc G1 has it is one of our all time favorite rubbers and even gave it our Gold Award. To read more on that, check out our comparison: Best Tensor Rubbers 2024
In contrast, the Fastarc G1 may not be as aggressive as the Tenergy 05, but it is a more durable rubber that can maintain its performance characteristics for a longer period of time. With proper care and maintenance, we have found that the G1 can last for several months, making it a reliable choice for players who prioritize durability over high performance.
Blades for Tenergy 05
Blades for Fastarc G1
More ruber comparisons:
Nittaku Fastarc G1 vs. Yasaka Rakza 7
Butterfly Tenergy 05 vs DHS Hurricane 3
Though Nittaku being a japanese company, the Fastarc G1 is manufactured in Germany at ESN where lots of other brands like Tibhar and Andro have their products crafted. Tenergy 05 on the other hand comes from Japan, which is known for producing some of the highest-quality table tennis equipment in the world. Japan has a long history of producing top-level table tennis players, and many of them use equipment made in their home country. This speaks to the quality of the materials and manufacturing processes used to create these rubbers.
Playing characteristics
One of the most important factors to consider when choosing a rubber is the sponge hardness. The Butterfly Tenergy 05 has a sponge hardness of 36 degrees (47.5 ESN), which is a bit on the harder side. The Nittaku Fastarc G1, on the other hand, has a slightly softer sponge with a hardness of 47 degrees (ESN-scale) which can be seen in the animated GIF below. This difference in sponge hardness can have a big impact on your game, as it affects the overall feel and speed of the rubber but as we are looking at a difference of just 0.5 hardness on the ESN-scale, we believe that both rubbers are comparable in terms of sponge hardness.
The Butterfly Tenergy 05 is known for its outstanding catapult effect and spin, making it a popular choice among professional players. It has a tacky topsheet that allows you to generate a lot of spin on your shots, while the medium-hard sponge provides plenty of power for aggressive attacks. The Nittaku Fastarc G1, on the other hand, has a more balanced playing style, with good speed, spin, and control. It has a similarly tacky topsheet compared to the Tenergy 05 and also generates a good amount of spin thanks to its grippy surface.
Comparing catapult effects of both rubbers, the Butterfly Tenergy 05 has a stronger catapult effect than the Nittaku Fastarc G1, which gives it more power on attacking shots. However, this also means that the Tenergy 05 can be more difficult to control, especially for players who are still developing their skills. The Fastarc G1 has a more moderate catapult effect, which makes it a better choice for players who want a balance between power and control.
When comparing topsheets, the Butterfly Tenergy 05 has a tacky topsheet that allows you to generate a lot of spin, especially on serves and topspin shots. The Nittaku Fastarc G1 has a similarly tacky topsheet (maybe ever so slightly less than Tenergy 05), which makes it easy to control your shots and generate strong spin. However, the topsheet of the Fastarc G1 is still grippy enough to generate a decent amount of spin, especially for intermediate players.
Tenergy 05: Forehand or backhand?
Both rubbers are popular among professional players, but the Butterfly Tenergy 05 is probably the more popular around pro players. While the Nittaku Fastarc G1 is used by a few professional players like Mima Ito, the Tenergy 05 is way more popular, especially after Timo Boll started using it couple years ago on his forehand before switching to Dignics 09C. Today, Tenergy 05 is used by top players on the backhands such as Fan Zhendong, Wang Chuqin and Tomokazu Harimoto among others. The reason for this being that usually, players are more forehand dominant which means that their backhands are weaker. Tenergy 05 can help with its strong catapult effect to compensate the lack of power.Which rubber fits best for which playing style
Ultimately, the choice between these two rubbers will come down to your playing style and personal preferences. If you're an aggressive player who likes to generate a lot of spin and power on your shots, the Butterfly Tenergy 05 may be the better choice for you. Its tacky topsheet and hard sponge provide plenty of grip and power, but it may take some time to get used to its strong catapult effect. If you have a less powerful backhand, you can also try to use Tenergy 05 on your backhand to increase speed in your shots. Keep in mind however that you need to be confident in your strokes in order to control the strong catapult effect.On the other hand, if you're a more balanced player who values control and spin, the Nittaku Fastarc G1 could be the better choice. Its grippy topsheet and moderate catapult effect provide good spin and control, but still give you enough power to finish off your shots. We love the Fastarc G1 has it is one of our all time favorite rubbers and even gave it our Gold Award. To read more on that, check out our comparison: Best Tensor Rubbers 2024
Durability
When it comes to comparing the Butterfly Tenergy 05 and Nittaku Fastarc G1 rubbers, we have found that they exhibit different performance characteristics and durability levels. The Tenergy 05 is a high-performance rubber with outstanding speed and spin capabilities. However, in our experience, we have found that it may not be as durable as the Fastarc G1, and may lose its playing characteristics over time, particularly with heavy use.In contrast, the Fastarc G1 may not be as aggressive as the Tenergy 05, but it is a more durable rubber that can maintain its performance characteristics for a longer period of time. With proper care and maintenance, we have found that the G1 can last for several months, making it a reliable choice for players who prioritize durability over high performance.
Price comparison
One of the biggest differences between these two rubbers is the price. The Butterfly Tenergy 05 is a premium rubber that comes with a premium price tag. It usually costs around $80, which is about two times more expensive than the Nittaku Fastarc G1, which typically costs around $40. While the Tenergy 05 is an excellent rubber, it may not be worth the extra cost for players who are still developing their skills or who don't play competitively.Blade recommendations
While choosing the right rubber is important, it's also crucial to match it with a compatible blade to achieve the best performance. Here are some recommended blades that work well with the Butterfly Tenergy 05 and Nittaku Fastarc G1:Blades for Tenergy 05
- Butterfly Timo Boll ALC - Loved by many players around the world, including Timo Boll himself. The Arylate-Carbon composition provides excellent control and feeling while still allowing for a powerful attacking game.
- Stiga Infinity VPS V - This is a popular choice among players like Fan Zhendong who want a balance of speed, control, and feeling. The five-ply construction and Veneer Precision System (VPS) technology provide excellent touch and feedback.
- Butterfly Viscaria - This blade is known for its exceptional control and speed. The combination of Arylate and Carbon layers makes it a great choice for players who like to attack with spin.
Blades for Fastarc G1
- Nittaku Acoustic - This is a popular choice among top players for its balance of control and power. Its five-ply construction provides excellent feeling and touch, while the outer Koto layer gives it a hard, direct feel.
- Yasaka Ma Lin Carbon - A great pick for those who like affordable carbon blades. The 7-layer Ma Lin Carbon provides great control and spin at moderate speed. It is also very budget-friendly at around only $50 which is way cheaper than comparable options. Looking for more affordable blades? Check out our article Best budget blades 2024.
- Nittaku Violin - This blade is known for its fast and responsive play. The five-ply construction gives it a balanced feel, while the outer Hinoki layer provides excellent speed and power.
Conclusion
In the end, the choice between the Butterfly Tenergy 05 and the Nittaku Fastarc G1 comes down to personal preference and playing style. Both rubbers are high-quality options that offer different strengths and weaknesses. If you're an aggressive player who wants maximum spin and power, the Tenergy 05 may be the better choice. If you value control and spin but still want some power, the Fastarc G1 could be the better option. Keep in mind that the Tenergy 05 is more expensive, so you'll need to decide if it's worth the extra cost for your game. Ultimately, both rubbers are excellent options that can help take your game to the next level.More ruber comparisons:
Nittaku Fastarc G1 vs. Yasaka Rakza 7
Butterfly Tenergy 05 vs DHS Hurricane 3
